Under 10% of patients eligible to benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy can access them, states the WHO as it publishes its first recommendations on the medications.
Considering in excess of 1,000,000,000 people worldwide currently obese, it is advocating for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to forecasts, in excess of 2,000,000,000 are projected to be living with obesity by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our new guidance recognises that obesity is a long-term condition that can be addressed with holistic and continuous support," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are major hurdles to broad access to the treatments that can aid individuals in losing considerable body mass, explains the organization.
Weight-Loss Drug Shortage
Even in the present most favorable case, the supply of GLP-1 therapies might only reach about 100 million people – less than 10% of those who need them, according to the health organization.
The recommendation calls on governments and firms to widen availability, via strategies like licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core component of a leading brand – is set to lapse in a number of countries in 2026.
The Way Weight-Loss Jabs Work
These medications imitate a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and boost satiety so individuals consume fewer calories.
Individuals typically start to lose weight within a few weeks of commencing the once-weekly jabs.
Studies suggests patients may see weight return a year later of discontinuing the drug, when their typical food cravings return.
Being carrying excess weight increases your likelihood for experiencing medical conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was linked to millions of deaths worldwide in 2024, as per the WHO.
